I think you are referring to what Chevy called the lower radiator grille baffle, shown as the lower part labeled "1.286 Baffle" in this picture. I think all of the inner sheetmetal, behind the grille, would have been black.


Curt
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1953 Chevy 6400, 1957 Chevy 2dr Sedan
--"Mediocrity is easy, the good things take time"